Do you remember the tornados this past year in Oklahoma? How about Joplin Missouri a few years back? Do you remember all the devastation that took place in those cities and towns? that area of the country is notorious for tornadoes is known as tornado alley. The folks are used to dealing with tornadoes, they knew what they were doing, and look what still ended up happening. There was nothing those poor, innocent people could have done. Now imagine those tornadoes hit our towns and cities here in Maryland. Saint Mary’s county has actually seen a couple of them over the past several years. And not too long ago, the folks at BWI Airport were ushered to the lower level due to a tornado in the area. We’re not used to tornados, we’re not quite sure what to do, and most of us here probably aren’t protected. Before you start saying “Nothing’s going to happen to us.” or “Tornadoes don’t exist in Maryland.” Guess what? A tornado can pop up anywhere without warning, and more and more are being recorded in Maryland each year. If you have any questions on how to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a tornado, contact us today.
BEFORE A TORNADO
- Prepare an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. (Click Here)
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television newscasts. Heed instructions given by local emergency management officials.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions and watch for approaching storms.
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Danger Signs Include:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
- If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Tornado Safety Tips
- Prepare for tornadoes by gathering emergency supplies including food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, important documents, road maps, and a full tank of gasoline.
- When a tornado approaches, anyone in its path should take shelter indoors—preferably in a basement or an interior first-floor room or hallway.
- Avoid windows and seek additional protection by getting underneath large, solid pieces of furniture.
- Avoid automobiles and mobile homes, which provide almost no protection from tornadoes.
- Those caught outside should lie flat in a depression or on other low ground and wait for the storm to pass.
- Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car — leave it immediately. Hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
- Watch out for fallen power lines after the storm. Do not, under any circumstance, drive over a downed electrical line.
- Leave your car behind, if necessary.
It had seemed for a while that it was very rare to see a tornado in Maryland. Now it seems as though they are being seen more commonly, which is not good. The more tornadoes we see the worse they will eventually get. Tornadoes are probably one of the most dangerous types of natural disasters. They come real quick and there is almost no time to prepare. In Maryland, we’re not used to dealing with these storms, so they can be very dangerous. It is very important you have an emergency kit well equipped and ready in the event of a tornado as well as your family communication plan because once a tornado has been spotted, it can be on top of you in no time. Tornado insurance doesn’t exist but we can customize a plan for you. We’re looking out for you today, so you don’t have to worry about tomorrow. To make sure you are protected in the event of a large tornado doing serious damage to your home, contact us today at 410-647-1111.